Juneteenth: Our Day of Freedom (Step into Reading)
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth
(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children
With the holiday weekend among us, we’ve chosen a few well-known picks that pay tribute to Memorial Day in addition to some familiar events. We’ve also put together a short list of suggested day trips that won’t keep you and your family in the car too long but will get you “away”. An obvious and free pick is to visit the various memorials along the Mall. Many events at Arlington National Cemetery can be found here and info on Rolling Thunder can be found here.
The Big Bounce America is taking over Fort Washington, Maryland this weekend through June 11; 10,000 square feet of bounce fun. Use code: MEM10 at checkout to redeem a 10% off offer.
And of course the kids haven’t let you forget the pools open this weekend. Here is a list of Washington, DC pools with hours and addresses. All outdoor pools and splash pads will open Memorial Day weekend and will operate on a weekend schedule through June 25.
Not a pool person? Let your child run around and splash in the spray parks or hit a waterpark (see the bottom of the list). A few sprays in DC are The Yards Park and Georgetown Waterfront Park and a list of spraygrounds in Arlington.
Friday
5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Sculpture Garden
This season captures the breadth of the American musical experience with Latin fusion from ¡Tumbao! on May 26, zydeco from Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas on June 23, Indigenous fusion from Anderson Quartet on June 30, and funk and soul from the 8 Ohms Band on July 28. Another highlight is a special Juneteenth celebration concert with the Muneer Nasser Quintet on June 16, one of seven local acts this year.
Saturday, Sunday & Monday
Strawberry Jubilee Festival at Great Country Farms is the longest running strawberry festival in Loudoun County. To celebrate the royal strawberry, our Jubilee is packed with live music, farm contests, wagon rides, a visit from the Strawberry Princess, great food and fun games for the whole family!
Sunday
9:00am-5:00pm: Flowers of Remembrance Day at Arlington Cemetery
Members of the public are invited to place a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Flowers will be provided by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation. Visitors should not bring their own flowers. During this event, visitors will also have an opportunity to place a flower on headstones throughout the cemetery.
11:00am: Black Birders Week STEM Day at National Museum of African American History
Did you know there is an entire week dedicated to Black birders, called Black Birders Week?
Black Birders Week began in 2020 to highlight the challenges and joys of Black nature enthusiasts, particularly birders. If you are interested in STEAM, including birds, nature, wildlife, and African American history, then this is the program for you! Museum visitors can participate in a bird walk on the National Mall, learn about Black birders and ornithologists, learn how to participate in Black Birders Week activities, and engage in hands-on STEAM lessons guided by Smithsonian educators.
6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor- Featured movie: Akkelah and the Bee
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of our delicious dining establishments, and meet us at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Please note that movies will begin at 6:00pm and will be shown once, so end times may vary with each movie.
8:00pm-9:30pm: National Memorial Day Concert
Saturday’s dress rehearsal is also open to the public. The gates open at 5:00pm and the concert begins at 8:00pm.
Monday
2:00pm: National Memorial Day Parade
The National Memorial Day Parade, held annually along Constitution Avenue in our nation’s capital – Washington, DC – shares the story of American honor and sacrifice from across the generations. The parade, commemorating its fourteenth year, is our nation’s largest Memorial Day event, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to the National Mall to pay tribute to those who have served, are serving, and most importantly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to our country.
Day (or overnight) trips-
Overnight trips for the family
Beach and State park
Day destinations (less than 2 hours away)
Trails, marshes & gardens
Outdoor fun
15 ways to get outdoors
Adult getaways
Passover takes place April 5, 2023 – April 13, 2023 this year. PJ Library has so many great resources you can access to use this holiday. I particularly like the 15 minute seder, because well kids….the lunch box ideas are great and can come in handy any weekday of the school year and you know I am always a sucker for the books. We hope you find these resources useful this Passover.
PJ Library brings the age-old Passover story to life with a wealth of resources via their Passover hub. This holiday hub is packed full with everything from music, stories, crafts and recipes to games, history and printables. Families can find a 15 Minute seder — a step-by-step video playlist where kids can learn (or refresh) their seder skills; the PJ Library Passover River Ride booklet which is the story of Passover in ten scenes; Printable Passover Recipe Cards; Passover-Themed Mad Libs; seasonal lunch box ideas, lists of Passover themed picture books and more.
PJ Library offers a downloadable and colorfully illustrated Haggadah for families: In Every Generation: A Pj Library Family Haggadah. While subscribers receive printed copies, this guide to the seder is also available to download for free in five languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and French. The printed English version of In Every Generation is available from the PJ Library store on Amazon.
New this year, PJ Library books are available on the Novel Effect app. As they read along, seder guests will be treated to a synchronized soundscape to In Every Generation: A Pj Library Family Haggadah, including authentic music, sound effects, and even pronunciation of Hebrew words that help kids stay engaged and excited throughout the meal.
Also available this Passover holiday for the first time are large print, Braille, and audio versions of the Haggadah prepared by the Jewish Braille Institute, to ensure accessibility for anyone who is visually impaired, blind or reading disabled.
PJ Library Presents podcasts for kids are NAPPA Award-winners, and a new episode of “Afternoons with Mimi” is “Kiddo’s Passover Table.”
March 25- April 8 from 10:00am-5:00pm: Great Country Farms Egg Hunt & Marshmallow Harvest
(18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA 20135)
After a long cold winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm! The Easter Bunny has hidden some eggs filled with treats to enchant the children, and we need your to help us find them! Be sure to get advance tickets as our Egg Hunts Sell out every year! Come see our spring chicks and baby animals, take a wagon ride, and rejoice that it is spring! Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is a $7.50 add-on per child with your paid farm admission.
April 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15 & 16 from 9:00am-6:00pm: Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard
(22200 Davis Mill Road Germantown MD 20876)
Enjoy a hayride down the Bunny Trail, race the Rubber Duck Derby, hunt for colorful eggs, exchange eggs for a goodie basket to take home, visit with the farm’s very own Country Bunny, ride pedal tractors, play in Hayromp and Playground, hop in inflatables, ride the giant slides, see bunnies, lambs and chicks, get your face painted and ride a pony.
March 25-26, Apr 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 & 9 : Easter Egg Hunt at Green Meadows Petting Farm
(10102 Fingerboard Rd. Ijamsville, MD 21754)
There will be two weekends of Easter egg hunts! No pre-registration is available. Purchase your admission to the farm/hunts when you arrive. Hunts will be happening all day, between 10:30am and 3:30pm. Egg hunt areas are sectioned off according to ages 1-3 & 4-12.
April 1 & 8 (Various times): The Lee-Fendall House 20th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
(614 Oronoco Street Alexandria, VA)
Find Easter eggs hidden in the Lee-Fendall garden. Sessions also include crafts, games, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
April 1-9 (Various times): Egg Hunt at Clark’s Elioak Farm
(10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042)
They will host small, frequent egg hunts for children in different age groups (ages 1-3 and 4-6) throughout the days. The petting farm, rides and play areas are open for you to enjoy. When you are ready to participate in the egg hunt, come to the egg hunt area and your child will line up with other children and pick up eggs. The eggs will then be turned in for a goodie bag. The first egg hunt each time will be for the 1-3 year olds.
April 1 from 12:00pm-3:00pm: Eggstravaganza
For more than 20 years, National Community Church has hosted the Easter Eggstravaganza with no other reason than to be a blessing to families in the neighborhood and to put a smile on the faces of kids.
Check out these EventBrite events for more hunts in and near Washington, DC
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) has a mid-winter break; February 20-24, 2023. Don’t fret if you didn’t plan to take an exotic vacation or have time to take off work that week. There are a variety of camps you can sign your child up for whether it be just for President’s Day or for the entire week. We have also highlighted some events on President’s Day.
President’s Day/Monday Events
9:00am-5:00pm: George Washington’s Birthday Celebration at Mount Vernon
Celebrate the first president of the United States at his beloved home. Admission is free for Presidents Day and George Washington’s birthday. Admission tickets will be distributed on-site upon arrival; a limited number of tickets are available. Mansion tours are timed. Mansion tour tickets will be distributed first come, first serve. Depending on the number of guests, there may be a 2-3 hour delay between your arrival and your Mansion tour time. Arrive early to receive the earliest tour times.
10:00am-3:00pm: Library of Congress Open House
Twice each year, the Library of Congress opens its magnificent Main Reading Room to share information about how the public can access the Library’s resources year-round. The Main Reading Room is located on the first floor of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE, Washington, D.C.
10:30am-5:30pm: Community Day: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Lion King on Broadway
A Community Day celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Lion King on Broadway. The festivities will include show-themed workshops led by Disney Theatrical Teaching Artists (separate passes required–information upon registration) and other in-museum activities for the whole family.
1:00pm-3:00pm: George Washington’s Birthday Parade
The nation’s largest George Washington Birthday parade marches a one-mile route through the streets of his chosen hometown! Location: Old Town Alexandria.
DCPS February break & President’s Day Camps:
Breathing Space Yoga
Related post:
2023 Summer Camp Guide
Valentine’s Day for me is just another excuse to shove even more chocolate in my mouth than I did the day before while giving extra tight snuggles to those I love. It also means the quality of the chocolate is definitely better than my typical 3 o’clock pick-me-up from my hidden stash. There are plenty of delicious places to shop this Valentine’s Day for yourself, your love or your Bambinos that don’t include the heart shaped milk chocolate box from the drug store. These are worth the trip, guaranteed while supporting local businesses.
Artisan Confections: Arlington, VA
Jason Andelman’s recipes creatively blend high-quality ingredients that subtly enhance the star of the show – Valrhona chocolate – considered the best in the industry. The result is a collection of smooth and creamy confections that look as stunning as they taste.
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates: Georgetown, DC
Handcrafted artisan chocolate assortments, bonbons, truffles, chocolate bars, hot chocolate mixes, chocolate-covered marzipan, and other delicacies that are sure to delight even the most discerning of chocolate lovers.
The Capital Candy Jar: NE, DC
After 3 years producing candy out of Union Kitchen, they were finally big enough to open their own store and production space in the Hill East Neighborhood just a few blocks from the US Capitol Building. They continue to make all of the candy by hand in small batches. It’s sold in gourmet grocery stores, gift shops and coffee shops all over the United States. Now everyone can try Dave’s tasty confections and we hope you’ll love them as much as we do.
Arcay Chocolates: Located in La Cosecha
Arcay Chocolates is a family-run and award-winning chocolate studio in Washington D.C. With more than 15 years of experience, they offer an exquisite range of chocolate bonbons, bars, and confitures.
June B. Sweet: Chevy Chase, DC
They have a selection of Brigadeiro flavors, mini cakes and Brazilian Mousse available every day at Write for You.
The Chocolate House: DuPont Circle, DC
Note: They were just robbed twice and may not be open; if they are please support this small business that has been open for 15 years.
The Chocolate House is a tasting room and boutique store where you can experience over 300 unique chocolate bars and confections from artisan chocolate makers and chocolatiers from all corners of the world.
Harper Macaw: Georgetown, DC
Harper Macaw is a fine chocolate venture founded by a Brazilian chocolate maker and a U.S. Marine Veteran with an ambitious yet tangible objective: To turn chocolate into a force for tropical reforestation.
SPAGnVOLA:Gaithersburg, MD
Crisoire Reid is an award winning Chocolatier and co-owner of SPAGnVOLA. Having been raised in her ancestral hacienda in Hato Del Rey, Dominican Republic. With her passion in land cultivation and agriculture, she began to focus her interest in improving the quality of their crops. They offer gift boxes, hot chocolate, caramels and more.
Chocolate Chocolate: Downtown, DC
D.C.’s first independent chocolate shop, in 1984 serving chocolate from around the world.
Godiva: Various locations
Hand dipped strawberries, truffles for miles and drinks made to order. You can become a Rewards member for free and receive a free truffle each month.
Balduccis: Locations in Bethesda, Alexandria and McLean
This is a premiere destination for many things such as meats and cheeses, the section of chocolates and confections is very impressive too.
2023 is a special year in the lunar calendar, celebrating two zodiacs – the rabbit and the cat. While it is the Year of the Rabbit in countries such as China and Korea, the Vietnamese community celebrates the Year of the Cat.
Picture books:
Tomorrow is New Year’s Day
How to Catch a Dragon
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas
Twelve in a Race
Playing with Lanterns
Board books:
It’s Your Year, Baby Rabbit
Lucky Lunar Animals
Baby Loves Lunar Phases
Celebrations:
Now-February: Winter Lantern Festival
Winter Lantern Festival comes to the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia area for its FIRST immersive DMV Winter Lantern Festival! From New York with 150,000 annual guests, 3 years in a row, this is an experience you don’t want to miss! Lerner Town Square at Tysons II has been transformed into a dazzling world of light with over 1000 Chinese lanterns; all handmade by artisans with decades of experience.
January 21, 10:30am-12:00pm: Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at Cleveland Park Library
Enjoy a variety of activities and crafts, including chop stick practice and decorating a lantern! For ages 2 and up. First come, first served, while supplies last.
January 21, 12:00pm-4:00pm: Lunar New Year 2023 Celebration at the National Museum of Asian Art
Bounce into the Year of the Rabbit and celebrate Lunar New Year at the National Museum of Asian Art! Free attractions for all ages, including performances, demos, a curator tour, hands-on activities, and more.
The celebration will include:
January 21, 6:00pm: Lunar New Year at the Millennium Stage
The Kennedy Center’s Lunar New Year Celebration honors the traditional holiday that is observed in countries and territories around the globe. Join us for a free performance in the “Year of the Rabbit” with a special program that highlights Chinese Culture.
January 22, 2:00pm: DC Chinese New Year Parade
The 2023 Annual Chinese Lunar New Year parade is organized by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Washington, DC (CCBA) in partnership with the DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA). The streets of DC Chinatown will fill will revelers and spectators as we celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. We will host a dynamic community-based parade that will include a range of cultural and community performers. The finale will feature a firecracker show in the middle of H Street. Come early for a bite to eat at one of the many local eateries and restaurants and then grab your curb-side vantage point to witness the colorful pageantry to come!
January 28, 11:30am-3:00pm: In-Person Lunar New Year Family Celebration
Ring in the Lunar New Year at SAAM! Join us for our annual celebration featuring Chinese and Korean traditions, including performances, crafts, food, and more. Learn about the importance of the Lunar New Year across cultures and explore SAAM’s collections with an art scavenger hunt. A special menu in honor of Lunar New Year will be offered by the Courtyard Café. Check out our Family Zone for more crafts and activities to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. A special menu in honor of Lunar New Year will be offered by the Courtyard Café. This program is presented in partnership with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America and with the Korean Cultural Center, Washington, D.C. and is part of Lunar New Year DC, organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do… you have to keep moving forward.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The National Museum of African American History & Culture has a great resource complete with activities for children and families to learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr. and what he stood for. It also includes talking points to start a conversation with kids about racism and activism.
We encourage you to volunteer with your family in whatever capacity fits your needs as we celebrate the legacy and life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Visit: Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial Library. After a recent library renovation, you’ll be amazed you are in a library; complete with a recording studio, dance studio, an indoor slide and a rooftop terrace.
Children’s books about Martin Luther King, Jr. and marches:
Let the Children March
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sometimes People March
I am Martin Luther King, Jr
Rock Creek Park, in partnership with Rock Creek Conservancy will host the annual MLK Weekend of Service in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of community action. With service events planned at Rock Creek Park and throughout the Rock Creek watershed, we invite our neighbors to join us and help their communities by picking up litter and removing invasive species from our beloved public green spaces!
DC Public Library events
From an Advocate Speech Contest, Essay & Poetry, Word Searches and more at various libraries.
Come experience the National Parks for free on January 16! National parks are America’s best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all the time. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.
9:30am: MLK Jr Peace Walk
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Peace Walk is held annually on the federal MLK holiday. The Peace Walk is coordinated by the Coalition for Peace, a group of individuals and non-profits dedicated to peace and positivity for the Washington DC metropolitan communities. Over a thousand ‘Peace Walkers’ join annually in the two-mile walk along MLK Ave in Southeast DC.
9:30am-12:30pm: 49th Annual MLK Jr Day Virtual Celebration
Join the City of Rockville for the 51st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. This free event features performances, awards, a keynote speaker, interactive booths and a continental breakfast (while supplies last).
10:00am-1:00pm: Clean Waterways Cleanup: MLK Day of Service 2022
All equipment is provided, please wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Rain or Shine. All supplies provided.
10:00am-5:00pm: MLK Dare to Dream Day
Join in a free celebration honoring one of history’s greatest visionaries. Open Mic, art-making, music, dance and more!
6:00pm: Let Freedom Ring! at the Kennedy Center
Join for a musical tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. featuring Leslie Odom, Jr. and the Let Freedom Ring Choir led by Music Producer Nolan Williams, Jr. The annual program is presented as part of the Center’s Millennium Stage free performance series.
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